Thursday, September 26, 2013

P31 OBS FB Gap
Study Week 2 Blog Hop

Topic #2 Past,
Present, & Future- Mary Magdalene is often viewed in light of her
past, even as we know she was accepted and loved by Christ. He makes all things
new. What does this mean to you? What is He telling you about your present with
Him, and more importantly, your future?

Until recently I was not accepting who I was in Christ. I
was walking around with the Love of God and the freedom of forgiveness but not
living it out while I did forgive others for incredible hurts. I was empowered
to stay sober and clean despite physical and emotional pain and trails tempting
me to take the easy way out of reality. But I hated myself.I walked around feeling as though I had MANY
scarlet letters hanging around my neck like a noose. I felt as though my forehead was scrolling all my past sins for all to read and judge. God helped me
realize I was desperate to be punished and couldn’t let go of who I was before
Christ redeemed me. Once I let go of hating myself I could see how desperate
God was for me to love myself like He does. How excited He is to see my living
in victory ready to turn my mess into a message that Glorifies Him! As we
studied Mary this week God nudged me closer to what He has been calling me to.
Mary Magdalene loved Jesus with her whole being, ministered to Him, never left
Him as He was crucified and buried and in the midst of her great grief she
OBEYED God, “The women who had been companions of Jesus from Galilee followed
along. They saw the tomb where Jesus’ body was placed. Then they went back to
prepare burial spices and perfumes. They rested quietly on the Sabbath, as
commanded.” Luke 23:55-56 The Message Translation. God empowers us to obey Him
no matter what the circumstance. He puts us here on this earth to live for Him,
sharing His living word and I am renewed and ready to shine as bright as I can while I am here on this earth for JESUS!

As I was writing this, my first blog post, I had my local Christian radio station playing quietly in the background and the song below came on; I know I have asked similar questions during a devastating time of grief and I could hear Mary Magdalene in her saddest moment calling out to God in the same way!

God empowers us with His word, fellowship, Pastors, accountability partners, prayer and so much more. I have to say a huge thank you to Liz - God placed you in my life in His perfect timing to encourage and motivate me to Say Yes and take this huge step.